Author Note: For those that think the feelings are being rushed, this takes place after Kung Fu Panda 3 and the TV show Legends of Awesomeness. Tigress has almost lost Po more times than she can count, and they have faced terrible and awesome evils together. With Tigress and Po fully realizing their feelings for each-other, both feels like they have wasted too much time. That is where the story starts.

The Early Morning

The sun's rays gently glistened along the cobblestone road as it whipped and passed houses and shops and market carts. Drops from the morning dew fell from the tile rooftops. Chatter began to creep it's way into the street as the sun rose over the blue sky and mountain horizon. An orange glow filled the sky as small birds flew high on the warm summer breeze.

Banners filled the streets of bright reds and oranges. Red lanterns were strung from house to house crossing over the roads. Bunnies and pigs started to head towards Mr Ping's Noodle Shop for their annual Dragon Warrior day breakfast.

"It looks like it will be a beautiful Dragon Warrior Day!" said one of the customers as they walked off with their steaming bowl of noodle soup.

"Yes it does!" replied Ping cheerfully as he continued to chop bok choy, "That's my son you know! The proud Dragon Warrior!" Pride filled his heart as signs and banners for his son filled his vision.

"We know he's your son!" one of the pigs laughed. His snout flared with each breath. "This is a rather small town, Ping."

Small goats walked with flowers in the streets towards the large statue of the Dragon Warrior in the town center. The arm stretched out, reaching for the Jade Palace, as the sun brightly lit the statue. Decorated pots, painted a beautiful array of colors, lined the front of the statue while small blue flags lined the grand stairway all the way up towards the Jade Palace's gates.

The large green gates rose sharply upon the horizon. Their majestic presence filled the air of the stairs. Small dents could be seen in their metal; memories of battles past. Beyond the gates stood the grand Jade Palace. The warm breeze danced with the flags sitting upon its roof. Small fighting dummies stood ready in the courtyard while a small weapons rack sat towards the gate. A low groan escaped the windows of the barracks that sat towards the side of the grand building.

"Bean buns…...bean…..buns.." groaned Po as he turned over. His dreams filled with food, he continued to sleep talk. "You cannot escape my mouth….mr noodle…" His words slipped through his door and down the barracks hall.

"Look's like Po is almost up." chuckled Monkey as he slid into his attire. His tail swaying with each step. He stepped out of his room, sliding the door quietly. Mantis hopped up and joined Monkey as they started towards the breakfast hall.

"About time!" stated Mantis loudly as he hopped along. "If he doesn't wake up soon, he will probably miss the Dragon Warrior day. For crying out loud, it's a day about himself! It's basically Po's favorite day!"

A warm breeze passed through an open window and bristled down the hall. Tigress stood in her room, her gaze aimed towards her window. Her tail lightly swaying as a warm thump echoed in her chest. The fur on her tail seemed to be slightly fuller than normal and her stripes brighter. "It's finally come…" she whispered to herself, "Dragon Warrior day."

She reached for her door, gripping the handle and sliding it open. The door swooshed quietly as it opened. "Morning, Tigress." exclaimed Viper cheerfully as she sat in front of Tigress's door.

Tigress quickly shot her hands up; widening her stance and firmly placing her feet on the floor. "Viper?" she said, startled. Her eyes still wide from the scare.

"Happy Dragon Warrior day." Viper replied, slightly more quiet than before. She smiled brightly took over her face.

A relieved sigh escaped Tigresses' lungs as she loosened up. Her arms returned to her side before she walked out of her room. "You too." she replied, glancing down at Viper who slithered next to her. "The breeze seems to be nice today. Looks like it will be a beautiful day." A warm smile slowly spread across her face as her mind started to drift.

"It is, a beautiful day to tell a special somebody their feelings?" Viper teased with a large grin. Her eyes beading at Tigress.

Tigresses' eyes widened as Viper's words passed her ears. "Wh-wh-what?" she stuttered as a warmth grew around her cheeks. "I have...absolutely no idea what you are talking about. I was just talking about how it's a nice day. That's all."

"Uh-huh~, okay." Viper said as they entered the breakfast hall. Monkey, Crane, and Mantis were already there. Crane stood making breakfast while Monkey and Mantis were fighting with chopsticks.

"Take that, Monkey!" Mantis yelled as he attacked. The wooden clacking sound vibrated through the air of the room.

"Hahaha, if only you could do…..this!" Monkey stated proudly as he pulled out a second pair of chopsticks. "I win~" he teased as he started his assault.

"Morning guys!" Viper cheerfully said as she got up into her chair.

Tigress looked around, her eyes covering every inch of the room, as a sense of worry grew in her mind. "Morning….has anybody seen Po?" she stated, a sense of worry attaching to her words.

"He's still asleep, I heard him talking about bean buns." Monkey replied.

Her ears slightly perked at Monkey's reply. "It's the Dragon Warrior day and he decides to sleep in? I'll go wake him up." Tigress said sternly, though a hint of happiness brightened her cheeks ever so slightly. She turned and left the room and back down the hall.

"What was that about?" Mantis asked confused.

"Seems like normal Tigress to me." Crane replied as he brought breakfast to the table.

"Ooh, bean buns! Po sure is missing out!" Monkey cheered as the group started to dig in.

Tigress walked up to Po's bedroom door. The door seemed heavy as she slip it open. A thumping echoed from her heart and started to drain out the surrounding world as it grew louder with each step. Her vision focused on the large black and white panda that laid sprawled out on his back. His mouth was open near the edge as a drop of saliva clung to the surrounding fur. Her eyes watched patiently as Po shuffled and scratched his stomach. A warmth bubbled from her heart and spread to every inch of her body. "Po?" she said caringly as she inched closer to the sleeping panda.

"No….I want the lotus cookies…." Po said, still sleep talking.

A small grin appeared on her face as Tigress briefly placed her hand on Po's shoulder. 'I can't let him know…' she thought. Her hand lifted off of Po before she turned back and faced the doorway. "Po!" she yelled angrily.

The sudden burst rattled Po off his bed as he crashed belly first onto the floor. "Wh-what? What's happening? Are we under attack? What-what?" Po yammered as he tried to fully wake up. His gaze finally saw Tigress standing by his door. "Tigress?" he said with a tinge of happiness. His heart started to pound in his chest as hot blood flowed throughout his body.

"It's Dragon Warrior day and you're sleeping in. Happy Dragon Warrior day, now let's go have some breakfast. Crane made it today." Tigress shot out before she slide open his bedroom door.

Monkey and Crane fell into the room as the door opened up. Crane's straw hat rolled over towards the wall. "Ugh, my wing." Crane groaned as he got to his feet.

"What the heck is going on?" Po asked loudly, still sitting on the floor.

"It was Monkey's idea." Crane said quickly.

"Oh sure, throw ME under the panda!" Monkey said as he rolled his eyes.

Tigress stepped over Monkey who as still on the ground, and continued towards the kitchen. Po watched as her tail twirled around and escaped behind the wall. "Dragon Warrior day…" Po said to himself. The warming pound of his heart slowly quieted down.

"Yup, and it seems like it will be a great day." Crane said, walking over to grab his hat. "Monkey has a present for you."

"Yeah…" Po replied, slightly dazed.

"Happy Dragon Warrior day Po!" Monkey cheered as he lifted up a small box wrapped in blue paper. A tiny silver bow sat on top the present as it shimmered in the sun's rays as they pierced the room.

"Huh? Oh yeah. Thanks Monkey." Po said as he reached out for the present. His voice slightly monotone.

"Well, open it up." Monkey grinned, his tail curling from anticipation.

"Alright." Po chuckled slightly. One of his tiny claw tore into the paper as Po opened up the present. "Cool box."

"Open the box now." Monkey stated, confused on how Po was acting.

A small lid covered the box, which was golden brown with an ornate dragon carving on the front. Po pressed his thumb against the lip, causing a small click sound to escape from the box. As soon as the click sound reached Po's ears, the box exploded into a bright array of confetti. "Wha-!" Po shouted as he dropped the box.

"Hahaha!" Monkey laughed as a few tears fell down his cheek. "Got you, Po!"

"Monkey!" Po shouted. Monkey rushed to his feet and out the door as Po gave chase. The stampede echoed down the hall and throughout the entire Jade Palace.

Tigress sat in her chair eating some tofu. The sparing sound of Monkey and Po reverberated from the training grounds to the barracks. "Did you tell him?" Viper asked as she sat across from Tigress.

"Tell who what?" Tigress asked sternly.

"Tigress, I already know. There is no need to hide it from me." Viper responded calmly, a hint of teasing still latched onto her words.

Tigress just sat there, her mind racing. 'How does Viper know?' she thought as her grip tightened onto her chop sticks. Silence drifted in the air before Tigress completely snapped her chop sticks. "No…" she replied softly. Underneath her fur, a blush was started to appear on her cheeks.

"Why not?" Viper pushed. "You have to tell him! I'm sure Po feels the same way. The way you two fight together, it's almost like you are perfectly in sync!"

"It does?" Tigress asked as she raised her head, a small twinkle in her eyes. "It doesn't matter. Love is for the weak, and it can only cause problems and makes you vulnerable." Tigress hastily stood up and walked for the exit.

"I know about the present." Viper said, not looking at Tigress.

"How do you know about that?!" Tigress growled as she readied herself to lung at Viper.

"I know a lot about what goes on here, Tigress. I was at the market when I saw you buy it. Give it to Po!" Viper continued, unafraid of Tigresses' anger.

"I can't." Tigress stated in defeat, her ears drooping backwards as her tail slumped onto the ground.

"Why not?" Viper asked.

"I've never felt like this Viper. I have always been hard, cold, and determined. I do kung fu, and train, and protect this valley. I don't do love. I can't let my walls fall, or I'll become weak." Tigress said, struggling to get the words out of her mouth.

"Tigress, love doesn't always make you weak. It can also make you strong. Remember Zan?" Viper stated, as she crawled closer to Tigress. "You were so afraid for Zan being hurt by Lidong that you got stronger and sent him flying. That is what love can do. When the person you love is in danger, you'll become stronger to protect them."

Tigress stood there as she let Viper's words sink in. Memories of her fight with Lidong flashed in her mind. 'Nobody-hurts-my-Zan!' echoed throughout her mind. Feelings of that kick crawled back into her body as the memories kept playing. "I was stronger." Tigress said finally, "Maybe you're right, Viper. Maybe...love isn't so bad after all."

"Right? So go and tell Po your feelings! Give him your present!" Viper cheerfully smiled.

"Maybe I will, Viper. Once Po gets back from the festivities of Dragon Warrior day, I'll give him the present." Tigress smiled briefly. She turned towards the door and walked out and down the barracks hall. "I'll tell him." she said to herself as she passed Po's room. A warm breeze filled the hallway and gently brushed past Tigress as she continued towards the training grounds.

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